έλα

Greek

Etymology

Inherited from the mediaeval Byzantine Greek ἔλα (éla), imperative of the Ancient Greek ἐλαύνω (elaúnō, “drive a chariot”), possibly from a cry at the Hippodrome.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈe.la/
• Hyphenation: έ‧λα

Verb

έλα • (éla)

1. 2nd person singular perfective imperative form of έρχομαι (érchomai).: "Come!"

   Έλα εδώ! ― Éla edó! ― Come here!

Interjection

έλα • (éla)

1. you don't say; come on.

   Έλα, πλάκα κάνεις! ― Éla, pláka káneis! ― come on, you must be joking!

2. an informal greeting used when answering the telephone, "go ahead"

   Α, με παίρνει ο Γιάννης στο κινητό. "Ελα" ― A, me paírnei o Giánnis sto kinitó. "Ela" ― Oh, Yiannis is calling me on the cell. "Go ahead."

See also

• ελάτε (eláte) (plural form of the verb, polite plural)
• εμπρός (emprós) (interjection when answering the telephone)